How is Absinthe Drunk?

July 5th, 2007 - erowid.org

Absinthe Spoon Although absinthe was sometimes drunk straight or in a variety of mixed drinks, the classic method of drinking it involves pouring cold water over a slotted spoon which contains sugar into a glass containing a shot of absinthe. As the water hits the absinthe, the oils precipitate out, and the drink changes from a clear emerald color to an opaque, milky white.

There were several types of specialized absinthe drinking paraphernalia. The most famous one is the slotted spoon (example pictured to the right). These spoons' holes served to allow the absinthe to better carry the sugar into the glass. In addition, the spoons were often designed to fit over the glass, balancing on their own.

A variation of the traditional drinking ritual is apparently used in Prague where absinthe is currently available. In this variation, a heaping teaspoon of sugar is briefly wet in the glass of pure absinthe, then lit on fire and held over the glass. As the alcohol burns off, the sugar melts into the glass. When the fire gets low, the remaining sugar is stirred into the drink and the drink is quickly drunk. Obviously, this is a method for drinking quickly rather than savoring absinthe's taste.

Absinthe Ritual

August 8th, 2007

You start the ritual by placing the absinthe spoon across the top of a tall glass. Then rest a sugar lump over the holes in the spoon and gently pour a measure of absinthe over the sugar.

Then light the absinthe and wait as the sugar caramelizes. Then dowse the dying flame by dripping ice-cold water over the sugar.

As the water mixes with the absinthe, it slowly changes the clear, vivid green liquid milky white. Stir with the absinthe spoon and enjoy.